Do You Need to “Leave It”?
Several years ago my daughter had a very vivacious, curious dog named Tilly. Tilly oozed personality and was always a big topic of conversation around the dinner table. One of her delights was to pick up things off the floor that she knew she wasn’t supposed to have and then run and hide under the bed. She thought this trick was so much fun. In order to get her to drop her latest “prize” she was told to “leave it.” Although she was often reluctant, she usually dropped whatever she had in her mouth to slink off and find more trouble.
I was recently thinking about her behavior and realized that there is a lesson that I can learn from Tilly. Sometimes I need to “pick up” something that God is telling me to do and run with it. My friend, Kayla, felt that God was nudging her to start a podcast. She was frightened by the very idea but prayed and asked God to guide her. Within a few months an opportunity came to her to begin her own podcast. God doesn’t shine His light down the path, but only gives us one step at a time. It is up to us to take that first step in faith and obedience and He will begin opening new doors. Yes, sometimes we need to “run” with that new idea that God has put in our sight.
Psalm 32:8 states: “The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” (TLV)
How can I ignore what God is asking me to do when He promises to guide me along the best pathway for my life?
Other times I need to “leave it.” Mistakes, failures and hurts need to be left behind. Wrong motives, actions or speech need to be “buried under the bed.” When I am offended by someone, I often picture a large table where I place the offense and then just walk away. I make it my goal to “leave it” and not pick it up and rehash it in my mind (I am still working on this one!) When someone says something negative or harsh, I can choose to “leave it” and not let my thoughts “run with it.”
Ephesians 4:31 says: “Get rid of (leave it) all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander as well as all types of evil behavior.” (TLV)
What do you need to pick up, leave or bury in 2019?
By Anita Kelly
Photo by Artem Bali from Pexels
